RUSSIA
LIKELY TEAM (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Gazinsky, Zobnin, Samedov, Golovin, Cheryshev, Dzyuba
-Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has never beaten Spain (D2 L4). Their last encounter ended 3-3 in a friendly back in November 2017
-Russia are ranked bottom at this tournament for chances created, with 18, but have still managed to score eight goals, while in terms of distance covered in the group stage (331km) they ranked third
Coach Stanislav Cherchesov has exceeded expectations so far this tournament after coming under fire from several critic prior to the start of the tournament. The front page of the Moscow Times, 24 hours before Russia face Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium, provided a reasonable gauge of the mood in the country. "Doomed to fail"ran the headline. Another paper read: "Russia has 145 million people and likes football, but why are the team so poor?" Given this Cherchesov deserves due praise. The core of the problem is not financial. A lot of money has been poured into Russian football in recent times, especially since the country was awarded this World Cup in 2010, but it was not spent wisely. Instead of investing in academies, youth coaching and quality training pitches, including indoor facilities, it was wasted on expensive foreigners, agents’ fees and disproportionate salaries. As a result, few Russian players regularly performed at a decent level, while those who did largely lost all motivation to improve because they were spoiled. A key example of this being Alan Dzagoev who for years was touted with a move to every big team in Europe it seems, has now spent over a decade at CSKA and his development naturally has stalled.
What the side may lack in talent they make up for in heart. Having covered the most distance of all teams so far, Russia will be hoping the home crowd of 80,000 at the Luzkniki will add more miles to their legs. No one reflects this more than Zenit St.Petersberg giant Artem Dzyuba who although remains a source of laughs for most Russians has played above himself and displaced star striker Fyodor Smolov from the starting XI. Sergei Ignashevich at 38 years of age has come out of retirement to help alleviate some of the hosts defensive issues but with Ilya Kutepov suffered a torrid time against Uruguay last Monday.
Key player is 22 year old Alexsander Golovin of CSKA Moscow who is expected to complete a $35 million transfer to Chelsea upon the tournament's completion. Russia's only Siberian player has won the hearts and minds of a nation with his performances against Saudi Arabia and Egypt and the young starlet will have no problem taking the game to Spain on Sunday. Golovin will attempt to exploit channel between LCB (Ramos) and LB (Alba) which he has done with success already this tournament with his shrewd, intelligent movement. Half Spanish - Half Russian winger; Dennis Cheryshev will be hoping to be Russia's other source of creativity from the left side where he will be hoping to make the most of his wand of a left foot. The Villarreal man is Russia's top scorer with three goals.
This team have exceeded in galvanizing a skeptical nation with victories against Saudi Arabia and Egypt , giving everyone a gentle nudge that the World's greatest sporting event is taking place on their doorstep but will be hoping this Sunday's clash at home won't be the last time their fans get to cheer their side this tournament.
SPAIN
LIKELY TEAM (4-1-2-1-2): De Gea, Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Koke, Iniesta, Isco, Aspas, Costa
- Spain have never won against International Tournament hosts in all eight games they have played (7L 1D)
Spain is unbeaten in the last 23 games (W15 D8), the longest current run among the 32 teams that started the 2018 World Cup. Its last defeat came two years ago against Italy in the round of 16 of the European Championships (0-2, June 2016)
- Andres Iniesta has not converted any of his last 32 shots at the World Cup/Euros. His last goal was in the 2010 final against the Netherlands
The key question for Fernando Hierro coming in to Sunday's game versus the hosts will be whether or not to include the inform striker Iago Aspas who has six goals and five assists in just over 500 minutes (largely substitute appearances) of international football for "La Roja". Questions have been recently asked of Atleti man Diego Costa who many pundits believe to succeeding from the intricate Spanish system of play rather than from his own hard efforts. However David Silva is widely expected to be the man that misses out here, the Spanish midfield has largely been congested and slow as shown through games against Portugal, Iran and Morocco and Aspas is expected to be introduced alleviating some of the indecisive midfield play therefore enabling more room for the legendary Andres Iniesta and Isco to operate in.
Sergio Busquets will hold the middle as per and will likely be supported by the reliable and consistent Koke who when called upon has shown more structure and controlled tempo to his play than Bayern's Thiago. Should the game become stretched in the second half Spain will have the luxury of calling upon Marco Asensio, David Silva and Thiago to exploit any space the Russians may leave behind. There has been some understandable concern over Spain's backline too throughout the whole tournament. Dani Carvajal has been carrying a hamstring injury since the Champions League Final and too also suffered a major health scare with his heart last August. Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos form has been indifferent to say the least, while given the marauding Jordi Alba propensity to vacate his position the Russians will fancy their chances to exploit the space in between Ramos and Spain's left side.
Spain's cause has not been helped too by the late injury scare defender, Gerard Pique suffered in a training ground incident with reserve keeper, Pepe Reina where the Napoli man landed heavily on the defender's ankle. David De Gea also has also come in for some criticism following the group stages where he failed to make a save until late in the first half of game three versus Morocco. Despite calls in certain Spanish tabloids to replace him with young Bilbao keeper; Kepa, Fernando Hierro is likely to retain confidence in the United man. Although the reports from the Spanish camp have been surprisingly positive even since Jose Lopetegui's departure on the eve of the tournament, they will now be hoping to kick into form akin to their 2010 success given their lackluster start and just give everyone else a reminder not to discount them coming into the business end of the competition.
WHERE GAME WILL BE WON
Russia are likely to form a low defensive block with coordinated pressing against the Spanish not affording to switch off for a second against Hierro's side and will have to maintain their patience while Spain are expected to maintain their high passing stats once again. Given Iran and Morocco's success attacking the Spaniard's high line Russia will be looking to explode forward at pace from their own half and will almost certainly target the Spanish left side. Artem Dzyuba will also fancy his chances against an erratic Sergio Ramos.
Spain meanwhile will be looking to enforce their normal possession based play and get star man, creator, dribbler, dribbler, penetrator Isco on as much ball as possible to unlock any holes in the Russian defence. The tricky duo of Iago Aspas and Diego Costa are proven goalscorers given even half a chance and need no introduction.
PREDICTION
Spain to withstand a spirited Russian fight and Isco to add weight to his plaudit's argument that he is a worthy contender for the Golden Ball.
Russia 0 - 2 Spain